The Big Name Signings In The PROD2 This Season

France's second division competition kicks off on Thursday with the two sides who were relegated from the Top 14, Bayonne and Agen, kicking the season off.

While the PROD2 is not France's premier professional competition, there are a number of well-known players featuring this season. 

We take a look at some of the top signings ahead of the new season.

Jaba Bregvadze - Agen

Georgian hooker Jaba Bregvadze arrives at Agen ahead of the new season. A free agent after the Sunwolves were kicked out of Super Rugby, Bregvadze brings plenty of experience with over 60 test caps for his country. 

Agen were winless in the TOP14 last season and the powerful hooker will look to turn the fortunes of the club in 2021/22.

Harry Sloan - Agen

Former England u20s centre Harry Sloan arrives in France off the back of helping Saracens regain promotion to the Premiership.

He has also had stints at Ealing Trailfinders and Harlequins.

Peter Betham - Provence from Clermont

A two-time Wallaby, Peter Betham helped Clermont win the Challenge Cup in 2019 making over 70 appearances for the club he joined from the Leicester Tigers.

The 32-year-old provides his new side Provence with options at centre and on the wing.

Eroni Sau - Provence from Edinburgh

Nicknamed “the Sledgehammer”, five test cap winger Eroni Sau is a huge signing for Provence as they look to force their way into promotion reckoning.

Released by Edinburgh at the end of the 2020/21 season, Sau has experience in France with Perpignan.

Chris Talakai - Bayonne

A shrewd signing by Bayonne who were relegated from the Top 14 last season. The 27-year-old tighthead has been a regular in the Waratahs' squad since 2019. 

Competition at tighthead at the Waratahs saw him receive limited minutes for the side in 2021 but the solid front-rower will look to make a splash as the club aim to bounce back into the Top 14.

Uzair Cassiem - Bayonne

A fan favourite at the Scarlets, Cassiem earned eight test caps for the Springboks.

The back-rower joins Bayonne off the back of a three-year stint in west Wales.

Shaun Venter - Bayonne

A talented scrumhalf, Venter joins Bayonne from Ospreys who he joined back in 2019.

A standout for the Cheetahs during his time with the side between 2014 and 2019, Venter never really quite kicked off at Ospreys and will be looking to set the PROD2 to alight.

Yann David - Bayonne

Bayonne have done some good business ahead of the new season with a number of players departing the club following their relegation.

The experienced centre has spent most of his career in the top flight of French rugby featuring for Toulouse between 2009 and 2018 before joining Castres.

He adds further experience to the side who will be eager to get back into the Top 14.

Isaia Toeava - Bayonne

The 35-year-old All Black is not done yet! Isaia Toeava is sticking around for one more season at least joining Bayonne after a season with Toulon.

The 37 test cap international joined Toulon last season after a successful stint with Clermont between 2016 and 2020. 

His ability to play multiple positions in the backline, including flyhalf which he did for Toulon last season, and is yet another smart signing by Bayonne.

Lionel Beauxis - Beziers

The popular French pivot has extended his career by another season at least after being released by Oyonnax.

The 35-year-old represented France 24 times between 2007 and 2018. He joins Beziers after stints with the likes of Pau, Stade Francais, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lyon.

The show goes on.

TJ Ioane - Bourg-en-Bresse

The 32-year-old Samoan back-rower arrives at Bourg-en-Bresse after a stint on loan with Glasgow.

The versatile back-rower has played for the likes of Otago, The Highlanders, Sale Sharks and London Irish.

Elia Elia - Bourg-en-Bresse

Elia Elia joins his fellow countryman at Bourg-en-Bresse ahead of the 2021/22 season after a successful 2020/21 with Harlequins.

The Premiership winning hooker makes his first move since joining Quins at the Stoop in 2016.

Tim Agaba - Carcassonne

The 32-year-old former South African Sevens star joins Carcassonne after a stint with the Bulls.

His ability to play lock and all three back-row positions adds plenty of value to the side that finished mid-table last season.

Johnny Mcphillips - Carcassonne

Former Ireland u20s pivot Johnny McPhillips heads to France off the back of a stint with Leicester Tigers.

Helping the side reach the Challenge Cup Final, McPhillips played for the Premiership side 14 times last season scoring 50 points. 

He heads to Carcassonne following stints with the likes of Ulster, Nottingham, Doncaster and Leicester.

Michele Campagnaro - Colomiers

An injury-hit final season at Harlequins sees the Italian international head to France. 

Campagnaro will look to make an impact for his new club having last featured in December 2020. 

Campagnaro had stints with Exeter Chiefs, Wasps and Harlequins in the Premiership having started his career with Benetton.

Shaun Adendorff - Nevers

After a season and a half with Northampton Saints, Shaun Adendorff returns to the PROD2, this time with USON Nevers.

A powerful back-rower, Adendorff is another arrival who has played for the South African Sevens team. 

The former SA u20 back-rower also played for the Bulls between 2017 and 2018.

Darren Sweetnam - Oyonnax 

Another move for the Irish International Darren Sweetnam.

After a short stint with La Rochelle last season, Sweetnam heads Oyonnax after 6 appearances in the TOP14 for La Rochelle scoring two tries.

Sweetnam represented Munster over 80 times before moving to France.

Alexandru Tarus - Rouen

With over 30 test caps for Romania, Alexandru Tarus is a handy addition to the Rouen pack heading to France via Italian club Zebre.

Tarus has experience in France having represented Beziers between 2015 and 2017 before joining Sale Sharks and later Zebre.

Rudy Paige - Vannes

Rudy Paige returns for a second stint in France after joining Clermont on loan during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The former Springbok scrumhalf has been a free agent since the 2020 Super Rugby season was cancelled and work his way back to fitness with Cape Town-based club Hamiltons.

Paige could play a major role for Vannes this season after they narrowly missed out on the PROD2 Final last season as Biarritz edged them 33-34 in the semi-final. 

Rodney Ah You - Vannes

Another sharp signing by Vannes as they look to build on next season.

Rodney Ah You, 32, played for the likes of Connacht, Ulster and Newcastle before heading to Vannes.

He also represented Ireland on three occasions.